Senior Network Engineer, Backbone and Internet Edge

Lex; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join our Global Network Services (GNS) team. You will lead and execute large-scale network projects across multiple sites, from planning through deployment and handover, including data centre builds and peering expansion.

You will work with Cisco, Juniper and Arista platforms on BGP/IP routing, MPLS and DWDM, and develop automation tools in Python to speed provisioning and delivery, while mentoring teammates and engaging with clients.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Network Engineer, including 3+ years in a project engineering or lead role on large-scale deployments.
• Fluent English (spoken and written) is required due to frequent client and stakeholder communication.
• Deep hands-on expertise in TCP/IP (v4/v6), BGP, MPLS, and IS-IS; practical LAN/WAN and DWDM transport knowledge; UNIX-based systems familiarity.
• Strong Python programming and network automation experience; tooling with orchestration platforms and version control.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute large-scale network projects from planning through deployment and handover across multi-site environments.
• Manage data centre builds, peering and transit expansion, and complex traffic engineering.
• Work across vendor platforms (Cisco, Juniper, Arista) and implement automation to streamline provisioning and deployment.
• Develop custom automation tooling using Python (Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli) with Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins, and Git.
• Mentor teammates, troubleshoot high‑impact network issues under pressure, and communicate with clients.

Skills

TCP/IP

BGP

MPLS

IS-IS

Python

Network automation

Git

Fluent English

Education

BS or equivalent

Tools

Netmiko

NAPALM

Scrapli

REST APIs

Job description

Summary

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming phenomenal products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Come join the networking team that supports Apple’s Global Backbone and Internet peering infrastructure! We're a team of seasoned professionals that maintain and operate one of the world’s largest service provider-based backbone networks to connect all of Apple’s businesses globally. We are growing and building the fastest and most reliable network to meet Apple’s phenomenal scale and unique requirements.

The Senior Network Engineer will be working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment while developing, implementing, and supporting a complex backbone. To be successful in this role, the candidate is required to possess extensive experience in engineering and operations of very large-scale enterprise/service provider networks.

Description

Apple is looking for an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join our Global Network Services (GNS) team. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team environment, leading and executing large-scale network projects from planning through deployment and handover - multi-site rollouts, data centre builds, and peering and transit expansion. You will combine deep hands-on networking expertise with proven project management skills, managing multiple concurrent projects and adapting as priorities shift.

Day to day, you will work across carrier-grade platforms from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, and Arista, with protocols including BGP, IS-IS, MPLS, and IPsec, alongside the LAN/WAN and DWDM optical transport technologies that underpin our global footprint. Supporting large-scale peering and transit networks, you will apply a sound understanding of complex traffic engineering and Internet routing policy. The role also calls for building custom applications and automation tooling to streamline network provisioning, configuration, and deployment - typically in Python using Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli, or REST APIs, with orchestration through Ansible, Terraform, or Jenkins, and version control in Git. The goal is measurable efficiency gains and shorter deployment times in complex environments.

This engineer will excel in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot complex large-scale network issues under pressure, obsess over the customer experience, and drive excellence through strong technical leadership and mentorship. Early morning or late night calls may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Network Engineer, including 3+ years in a project engineering or lead role on large-scale network deployments. Fluent English (spoken and written) is required due to frequent client and stakeholder communication.
• In-depth, hands-on expertise across TCP/IP (v4 and v6), BGP, MPLS, and IS-IS, with practical knowledge of LAN/WAN and DWDM optical transport, and proficiency in macOS, Linux, or other UNIX-based systems
• Strong programming skills, particularly Python, with demonstrated experience building network automation tools and working with orchestration platforms and version control
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to troubleshoot complex network issues under pressure while managing multiple concurrent projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of DWDM Optical Transport technologies.
• Strong programming skills, particularly Python, with experience building ap-
• plications or tools for network automation (e.g., using Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli,
• or REST APIs).
• Experience with automation/orchestration platforms (Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins)
• and version control (Git).
• BS or equivalent education preferred
• Advanced industry network certifications preferred

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Role Number: 200685862-1418